Broaden your European horizons in Folkestone

What they said about Folkestone"The Channel tunnel and M20 corridor make the district an important gateway to and from continental Europe," Audit Commission. "The Triennial is part of a larger vision for Folkestone, creating a centre of creativity and excellence on the south coast of England," Andrea Schlieker, curator of the new three-yearly international arts exhibition the town plans to hold from next year.

Population53,000.

Local politicsShepway district council is Conservative controlled.

MPMichael Howard, former Conservative party leader.

Local authorityShepway is a "weak" authority with no clear long-term ambitions. But its "substantial" urban and rural regeneration programme is expected to promote community cohesion, and its councillors are committed to taking the council forward. The Audit Commission recently confirmed that Shepway had "promising prospects for improvement".

Health serviceRoyal Victoria hospital is run by East Kent hospitals NHS trust, which has "fair" services and "weak" use of resources. The trust plans to invest £2.5m in the site and services. It needs senior technicians and medical secretaries. The Kent and Medway NHS and social care partnership trust has "fair" quality of services and use of resources.

Central governmentThe Immigration and Nationality Directorate and the Valuation Office Agency have offices in the town.

Environment/regenerationThere has been a £10m regeneration of the town centre and its open spaces. The harbour seafront is being redeveloped and the old town transformed into an artistic centre.

Voluntary sectorThere are 10 international, 32 national and 277 local charities in the district with a combined income of £55m; 1,646 trustees live there.

Commuter linksTrains to London (1 hour 35 minutes, but less than an hour when the Channel tunnel rail link is introduced in 2009); Eurotunnel to Calais (35 minutes); M20 (London 72 miles; Ashford 15 miles).